Posted on 08/25/2006 2:47:54 PM PDT by Alouette
Comedian files lawsuit against missionary group for using his name and likeness in a pamphlet, saying he's 'as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami'
Saying he's "as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami," Jackie Mason filed a lawsuit against Jews for Jesus for using his name and likeness in a pamphlet.
The USD 2-million lawsuit seeks the immediate destruction of the pamphlet, which members of the missionary group have been handing out at various points around New York City.
"While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami," the 75-year-old comedian said in documents filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.
Founded in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus practices Judaism but regards Jesus as the Messiah.
'Pamphlet good-natured'
The pamphlets feature an image of Mason next to the words "Jackie Mason... A Jew for Jesus!?" with information inside that outlines the similarities between Jews and Christians.
"The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my `shtick' (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts," Mason said in an affidavit.
Susan Perlman, a spokeswoman for Jews for Jesus, said the pamphlet was "good-natured."
"Shame on him for getting so upset about this," she said Friday.
Mason has starred on Broadway and in films including "Caddyshack II."
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
SHE should be ashamed of using his likeness/quotes without permission.
As a Christian, I am with Jackie. Mazeltov!
You'd think this group would have legal advisers who would have told them it is unwise to use a celebrity's endorsement without their consent.
Who is Jackie Mason???
Press Release: Jews for Jesus and Jackie Mason
August 25, 2006
For immediate release
Contact Person: Susan Perlman
Ph: 415-864-2600 X 136
e-mail: sueperlman@jewsforjesus.org
Jackie Mason, the comedian, is suing Jews for Jesus over one of their evangelistic pamphlets which features his likeness. The pamphlet, entitled, "Jackie Mason, a Jew for Jesus!?" is a good natured look at how anyone, Jew or Gentile, can become a follower of Jesus.
Mason, in his lawsuit, says that the pamphlet gives the impression that he is a proponent of Jews for Jesus. Jews for Jesus denies this. The pamphlet is satirical in style and intended to point out that even someone as Jewish as Jackie Mason can come to faith in Jesus. Mason describes himself "as Jewish as a matzoh ball or kosher salami. . ."
Jews for Jesus executive director, David Brickner, responded, "Jackie may be as Jewish as a matzoh ball, but Jesus is as Jewish as chicken soup. It is our hope that this issue will not have to go through the courts, [the case has been removed from the Supreme Court of the State of New York to Federal Court] but this is a matter of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We are not claiming Jackie Mason to be a Jew for Jesus. Of course, if he's interested, we're sure Jesus would welcome him as a follower."
Jews for Jesus has hand distributed more than sixty million religious pamphlets on the streets of major cities around the world. Many of the titles deal with contemporary pop culture and personalities. They are distributed for free and invite a response from those who are interested to know more.
Jews for Jesus, 60 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Your question would upset Jackie Mason more than the Jews for Jesus pamphlet!
"..Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Jackie Mason was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan surrounded by rabbis. His father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great, great-grandfather were all rabbis, as are his three brothers. No surprise that at age 25, Jackie Mason was ordained a rabbi. Three years later, he quit his job in a synagogue to become a comedian because, as he says, "Somebody in the family had to make a living.".."
I'll bet Ed Sullivan is behind this.
Founded in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus is an evangelical Christian group that tries to convert Jews to Christianity. I can see why Jackie's angry.
I think abhorrent is a bit strong. They used his name and likeness without permission, that is sufficient reason to sue. If he doesn't, he may lose rights to his own image and name.
Jackie Mason is among the wisest of the Hollywood crowd.
Go figure.
To win he has to make the argument he is not famous enough.
I always thought "jews For Jesus" was an immigrant rights group.
I never realised how closely the simpsons episode with krusty the clown being reunited with his estranged rabbi father, hershel krustofski paralleled Jackies real life.
Jackie played the voice of hershel
As much as I generally support Jews for Jesus, Jackie Mason is absolutely right on this.
Very good point. This lawsuit had to be brought no matter what Mason feels about the group.
You are confusing this with another law. You can write about public figures or make parodies of them. However, the J4J were trying to use him to endorse themselves, which they can't do.
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